historical society & museum

chronicle VOLUME XXXI NO. 2 JACKSON’S HOLE, WYOMING SUMMER 2011 “What is Your Outdoor Dream?” The Turners and the Triangle X Ranch Deliver for Eighty-Five Years By Karen Reinhart

Four generations of the Turner family more commendable is that the ranch is their grazing permit. have made dreams of adventure come still operated by the Turner family. In 1960, Dad Turner died. Harold true for countless numbers of people who The story begins in 1926 when John remembers that his mother, Louise seek an authentic Western experience. In S. Turner and his wife, Maytie, left Utah Mapes Turner, “ruled with an iron hand” today’s fast-paced technological world and purchased two north Jackson Hole until the mid-1980s. Third generation homesteads from Jack Fee and brothers, Harold, John, and Donald, Bill Jump, beginning their have essentially operated the dude ranch. In that year, the Turners ranch as a family partnership since the submitted the Triangle X brand 1960s through a concession permit with to officials in Cheyenne to mark the national park. Harold managed their livestock. But officials employees and wilderness operations. returned their application, Donald oversaw agriculture and suggesting variations to protect maintenance of the ranch including the the Turner brand from possible corrals, horses, and wranglers, and still alteration. One modification manages these aspects. After John went tacked a “2” onto the original to Washington in 1989 as Director of the brand and John S. “Dad” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service he wasn’t adopted it. as involved with day to day operations Harold “Skipper” Mapes, Louise and John C. Turner at the In 1929 Dad Turner sold but still helped when he could. Triangle X Ranch 1958.0266.001 the ranch to the Snake River According to Harold, the women of Land Company (SRLC). It the family business have always held the people need places where they can forget was revealed in the 1930s that wealthy most important ranch jobs. They arrange their busy lives at home. The Triangle X philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. bookings, and greet and take care of the Ranch, a dude ranch in north Jackson was the man behind homestead land guests. Harold’s wife Berniece worked Hole within Grand Teton National purchases that Park, is one such place where guests can would eventually seemingly step back in time. Through be donated to time the family has seen changes in their enlarge Grand operation and their clientele, adapting Teton National as needed, but they have preserved the Park by 35,000 relaxing ranch atmosphere that branded acres in 1950. the ranch from the beginning. After Dad Turner Harold Turner thinks that people visit sold the ranch, the ranch because of the aesthetics of he bought Turpin Jackson Hole, the history, the wildlife, Meadows Ranch and the freedom. “It’s a combination of in the Buffalo many things that gives contentment and Valley northeast regeneration to their lives. It’s a feeling— of the ranch, and not physical or earth shattering.” Most his son, John C., of the ranch’s visitors return to the ranch leased the Triangle year after year and decade after decade X Ranch back Dudes going on a trail ride from Triangle X Ranch 1958.0265.001 because they feel part of the ranch and from the SRLC. in the office with Louise, eventually family. Harold Turner, son of John C., said that managing details there until three or The Triangle X Ranch is the longest Rockefeller wanted agriculture and dude four years ago. She still does the ranch continually running dude ranch in the ranching to continue in the valley. And bookkeeping. John’s wife Mary Kay valley, and in fact, is the last remaining the Triangle X did both, grazing cattle began the children’s program in the late dude ranch concession in the entire from the ranch’s genesis until 1967 when National Park Service system. Even Grand Teton National Park didn’t renew continued on Page 3 Page 2 - Summer 2011 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE ISSN: 1544-3884

Staff and Board of the Jackson Hole Historical Society Organizational News and Museum

Staff Capital Campaign Enters Stage Two Lokey Lytjen As we celebrate the opening of our new and join the Executive Director museum at 225 N. Cache, the Jackson team.” Mindy Barnett Hole Historical Society and Museum Numerous Office Manager now turns our focus to stage two of the presentations Jean Hansen capital campaign in order to complete and private Museum Manager the museum space and exhibitions as tours are slated Tom Hickey designed by André and Associates. “We for the summer Director of Development still have a long way to go to fund our of 2011. If you Liz Jacobson expansion, and in addition to numerous are interested Development Associate, grant submittals, we really need members in attending Jim Luebbers Newsletter Editor of this community to help us reach our an event or Karen Reinhart goal of a world-class history museum here would like a private tour to learn more, Curator of Education & Outreach in Jackson Hole” said Board Chairman, please contact Tom Hickey at 733-9605 Brenda Roberts Dr. Jim Luebbers. “We welcome anyone extension 204. Assistant to the Director interested in helping us to contact us Shannon Sullivan Old West Days Parade Curator of Collections Entry Wins Grand Prize Board of Directors Become a Docent It seems very appropriate that for our Jim Luebbers Today! Grand Opening of the new museum over President Memorial Day weekend that our entry in Chris Tice The Jackson Hole Historical the Old West Days Parade on May 28 was Vice President Society and Museum offers a rich the Grand Prize winner! Thank you to Jim Rooks opportunity to serve our community our parade coordinator Jamie Turner and Secretary as a volunteer docent for the new more than thirty volunteers who walked Jacques Dubois history museum. Docents learn or rode in the vehicles, and dressed in Treasurer about local history and share stories western costumes. Marion Buchenroth with museum visitors while they Thanks to the Triangle X Ranch John and Phyllis Cardis view the exhibition Playing Hard: for the use of their Yellowstone Park Kathi Davis Labor and Leisure in Jackson Hole. Transportation Company stagecoach. It Earle Dornan This unique exhibition is about was likely built sometime between 1890 Rod Everett the evolution of work and play and 1910. Actually called a Yellowstone Matt Montagne addressing the history of recreation Park Observation Wagon, it was used to Jackie Fernald Montgomery in Jackson Hole. take tours to Yellowstone National Park Rudy Sanford Two-hour shifts are available: in the early days. Harold and Berniece Chris Sandvig 10:00 a.m. to Noon; Noon to 2:00 Turner, owners of the Triangle X Ranch, Stan Trachtenberg p.m., 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday purchased the wagon from John Wort, Matt Turner through Saturday; and Sunday who built the Wort Hotel with his brother Noon to 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 to 5:00 Jess, and the Turners had it restored. Mission Statement p.m. It is a fun way to share your Their son Robert Turner drove the team knowledge about Jackson Hole and of horses named Erin and Tracy. Preserving and sharing the connect with local residents as well Thank you also to Stubb and Shad Free heritage of Jackson Hole. as visitors from around the world. who drove their 1931 fourteen-passenger Contact Karen Reinhart at 733- Yellowstone National Park Bus. This 9605 ext. 103 for more information rare, vintage vehicle was one of only nine and to sign up. Thanks! buses of its kind, and was used for many years to take tourists around the park. A panel of three judges ranked the entries on three categories: Adherence to the Old West theme; imagination, creativity, and originality; and presentation or performance. The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum will receive a certificate and $250 The Jackson Hole Historical Society in Chamber Bucks which can be used to and Museum Chronicle is published make purchases at most businesses in quarterly for members and friends of Jackson. the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. Welcome First Time New Members and Jackson Historical Society & Museum Business Partners P. O. Box 1005 (Mid-March to Mid-June): Jackson, Wyoming 83001 • George and Patricia Amlin • Derek and Sandra Goodson (307) 733-9605, Fax: (307) 739-9019 • Steven and Kathryn Davis • Chelcie Jonke e-mail:[email protected] • Earle Dornan • Michelle LaBounta www.jacksonholehistory.org • Drive Signs, Elisha Stephens • Gap Pucci • Bob Emrick • Richard and Francesca Rice Visit us on Facebook at • Jim and Ruth Rooks • Michelle Rooks and Eric Orton Museum of Jackson Hole • Mary Jane Ashmore • Frank Sansone and become a friend today! • Mary Hughes • Rich and Sue Sugden • Jerry and Pat DeFrance • Richard and Lynne Whalen ISSN: 1544-3884 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE Page 3 - Summer 2011 continued from Triangle X Ranch Page 1 guests and their steamer trunks, Louise horses].” When a new horse is acquired Turner drove a ranch car to the railroad by the ranch, it is given a recycled horse 1960s, carried on today by dedicated terminus in Rock Springs, Wyoming, or name from the 1940s—an equine nod to staff. Donald’s wife Anne was head Gardiner, Montana, and later, to Victor, the past. housekeeper and in charge of the kitchen Idaho. Traveling to Jackson Hole was an Harold is quick to give credit to past for many years. ordeal, encouraging extended stays. and present employees, and to guests. Today, only two fourth generation Some guests—primarily hunters “Employees are the cornerstone for us. members, Donald’s son Luke, and and anglers from Texas—continued People that we hired back when we were Harold’s son Robert, live and work full- to travel and stay at the ranch despite wet behind the ears put us on the map. time on the ranch. Robert assumed his the Depression and World War II. The Some of our employees showed us how to father Harold’s responsibilities in 2006 Triangle X dude business really took do things, the country, how to relate to and now manages wilderness pack trips, off after World War II because the war guests, and how to take a pack trip.” He employees, and the winter operation that showed people how to travel, and they named Bill Daniels, Jack Davis, and Ike began in 1998. Luke began managing the had discretionary income. Breen but there were a lot of others too. guided fishing trips in 2009, and with Jim Today’s ranch guests are welcomed by Guests helped by being flexible, allowing Hicks manages the Triangle X float trips the same easy-going rustic charm that the Turners to discover what worked and in Grand Teton National Park including has always greeted guests. Log cabin what didn’t. ten-mile floats and scenic supper floats. architecture dates back to 1926 when Harold said the ranch’s youth were Dad and Maytie Turner began building “benevolent and smart enough to realize their two-story home which served as the they had to make their own living.” family home until the late 1960s. In north Generations of visiting families have Jackson Hole, it was the first house to frequented the ranch. During the last have running water, and at the end of the several years more and more grandparents 1930s Skipper Mapes built a power plant, are bringing their grandkids, perhaps illuminating the house with electricity in the hopes of encouraging the kids to far earlier than most valley homes. turn their focus from techno screens to Wait staff now serves dinner to guests the panorama of nature. Harold stated on homemade wooden tables and chairs that the baby boomer generation is the in a cozy dining room with a stunning greatest outdoor generation ever and view of the Teton Range. The “front of their kids are not. “One thing that’s the ranch” guest area surrounds them come to light over the last few years, that with history, creating collective appeal people have told us, is that kids can be and visually giving guests permission to kids on their own [on the ranch]. They relax. get confidence and find out more about But relaxation is balanced artfully themselves, gaining common sense.” with recreation. Employees offer Today, twenty-two log cabins beckon horseback riding, scenic float trips, Harold Turner sharing stories at Doc MacLeod to guests. Bed count is 80 guests per guided fishing, wilderness pack trips, and Campfire Tales, July 2010. night. After a day of fresh mountain in the fall, big game hunting. Children air and the various activities offered by of all ages get special treatment—young Today the Triangle X hires seventy the ranch, families are ready for rest and children and teens are taken by staff on employees during their sixteen-week peak relaxation. Life is simple at the Triangle horseback riding trips tailored for their season from June through September: X and is just what people need. Even if age group and interests. Square dancing, wranglers—at least half are women— they don’t know it. thrice weekly cookouts, hiking, scenic lead horseback rides and care for horses; and wildlife tours, and cabin girls and waitresses switch between more round out the ranch their roles weekly; kitchen crews feed experience. Since the ranch employees and guests hearty gourmet has been open during the meals; packers pack mules and horses winter, guests can cross- for wilderness trips; irrigators keep country ski, snowshoe, and hay pastures productive; maintenance snowmobile. workers keep buildings and vehicles Beyond activities offered, running; and office personnel take care Triangle X traditions are of reservations and other details. Twelve evident in microcosm, too. employees work year-round. For example, in the ranch Harold Turner says “the neatest thing office, a 2 ½ by 3 foot board about the dude business is that I’ve made plainly lists each cabin with really good friends.” Press Stephens is Robert Turner, fourth generation of the a line below for every week one of these friends. Press’ life changed Triangle X Ranch family of the summer. Reservation because of his experiences and the Robert Turner notes a change in how staff can see at a glance if there are any friendships he developed on the Triangle long guests stay at the ranch, and says that cabins available. Harold says they’ve X Ranch. Raised in Venezuela, he began sometimes when emails are going back been using that board for maybe fifty his relationship with the ranch as a guest and forth between prospective guests and years. And that board was modeled in 1959. When Press turned seventeen in the ranch that there are initially quite a after the one that the family used for 1969, he began working at the Triangle X. few questions. “It’s tough for people to decades before that. There aren’t many Press worked eleven years at the ranch, stay in one spot for six nights. But once open spaces—about 80% of clientele are first as a seasonal wilderness pack trip they see what we have to offer and how return guests. guide, and later as a full-time employee. the week goes, they love it.” Gayle Roberts of Chapel Hill, North He went on to operate an outfitting In the days before the end of World Carolina has visited the ranch every year business in Dubois, Wyoming for twenty- War II, guests would stay for a month for twelve or thirteen years, sometimes five years. or even an entire summer. Harold says as often as three times each year. “It’s Harold’s son Robert says growing many of the metropolitan areas in the comfortable here and feels like home. If up on the ranch with his aunts, uncles, East were built on marshes and that there’s anything you’re concerned about and cousins “was the best childhood a disease prevalence was high during the they fix it for you. There’s no comparison kid could ask for. It’s something I look summer. To avoid sickness, men often to the riding program and they do it forward to sharing with my daughter.” sent their wives and children to the high well. The head wrangler [T.J. VanOoyen] And so the Triangle X Ranch lives on, in country of Wyoming. To fetch wealthy is wonderful at matching people [to the lives and hearts of many. Page 4 - Summer 2011 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE ISSN: 1544-3884

Museum Grand Opening 2011 ISSN: 1544-3884 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE Page 5 - Summer 2011

Thank you to all those who made our museum grand opening a success Grand Opening Committee Jackie Montgomery, Chair Rod Everett Dee Parker Pamela Stockton Marion Buchenroth Nancy Hoffman Nancy Riddle Sue Sugden Sandy Cameron Chelcie Jonke Louisa and Chris Sandvig John and Mary Kay Turner Phyllis and John Cardis Julie McKnight Rudy Sanford Jamie and Matt Turner Ceci Clover Matt Montagne Judie Schmidlapp Berniece Turner Kathi Davis Marilynn Mullikin Sandy Seitz Sponsors

Bistro Catering Finegan / Thompson Jackson Hole Radio Group Bob Moore Construction Jackson Hole The Liquor Store Canvas Unlimited Chamber of Commerce Sotheby’s International Realty Center for the Arts Jackson Hole High School Spring Creek Ranch Drive Signs Culinary Class Zaist Construction Management Staff Mindy Barnett Liz Jacobson Karen Reinhart Clayton Caden Barbara Knobe Brenda Roberts Jean Hansen Lokey Lytjen Chris Staron Tom Hickey Susan McCracken Shannon Sullivan Volunteers James and Rosemary Ball Betsy Engle Johanna Love and Steve Roberts Paul Barbour Linda Franklin Price Chambers Jim Rooks Mark Barron Stubb and Shad Free Jim Luebbers Sharon Sanford Jen, Mary Grace, Hazel Hazel Halling Craig Magill Laura, Isabella and Ben Beastrom Deidre Hebert Dennis McCracken and Jackson Santoamauro Betty Benson Howdy Pardners Geoff Montgomery Anne Schuler Virginia Blair Tom Jacobson Sue and Steve Morriss Carol and Craig Schwender Julie Buchenroth Shay James Kimberly Mullikin Loretta Scott Bonnie Budge Tom Kemper Rod Newcomb John Sidle Jill Callaway Larry and Julie Kummer June Nystrom Katherine Stanwood Judy Clayton Meredith, Marcus, Jesse O’Connor Karen Stewart Mary and Lee Cutler Luke and Jake Landino Grace and Sophie Parker Andy Stonelake Barbara Daily Miriam Lenz Anders Rae Tim, Anita and Steve Davis Marisa Sullivan Sue Dennis Jennifer Tennican Bob Dornan Ben Tucker Daniele Dubois Harold Turner Cameron Elliott Robert and Amanda Turner Ben Ellis Tote, Johnny, Maria and Jana Turner T.J. Van Ooyen 225 N Cache Join us today! 307 733 9605 Happy Weston

Museum Opening a Grand Success!

Our Museum Opening on Memorial Commerce. The first visitors poured in explore Jackson Hole history through Day weekend was grand! Mayor Mark the front doors and browsed through the themes of recreation and adventure. Barron, County Commissioner Chairman the exhibition and museum store. Over Museum exhibitions correlate with Ben Ellis, and Board President Jim 2,700 people enjoyed the new exhibition several anniversaries celebrated this Luebbers made opening remarks before Playing Hard: Labor and Leisure in year. This is the 100th year for Jackson the big red ribbon was cut at high noon Jackson Hole over the weekend. Hole Rodeo. Museum exhibitions share on Friday with the assistance of the We encourage you to check out Howdy Pardners from the Chamber of the museum and bring your visitors to continued on Page 6 Page 6 - Summer 2011 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE ISSN: 1544-3884 continued from Museum Opening Page 5 Grand Teton. Museum staff has curated visiting rafting guide expert. the colorful history of rodeo through a mountaineering exhibit that includes The museum store, of course, is also photographs, stories, and objects. The photographs of climbers, Paul Petzoldt’s new, and features a refreshing array of Triangle X Guest Ranch celebrates 85 ice ax, and more. Rod Newcomb from quality Western and locally-made gift years in 2011. T.J. Van Ooyen, head Exum and the American Avalanche items. The store has a wide selection wrangler for the Triangle X, dressed Institute was on hand for the Grand of regional books and journals, as well the part and shared stories during the Opening as our real life mountaineering as children’s titles. There are gifts for festivities on May 27. Dude ranching is expert. The 50th anniversary of the everyone, including organic soups, interpreted in museum exhibitions as Grand Teton Music Festival is this chocolate fudge sauce, and mango salsa; part of the recreation theme. summer. The museum and the music pewter flasks; pottery mugs; frames; Exum Mountain Guides marks 80 festival are collaborating on an interactive whimsical items crafted from metal; years as an organization that has guided exhibit in the new museum. Tom Kemper custom-made jewelry; toys; and much thousands of people to the top of the with Jackson Hole Whitewater was our more. Another Milestone Anniversary—Eighty Years of Cleanliness by Liz Jacobson This year marks the eightieth seven days a week in the summer, with which provided hot water and steam anniversary of an essential service in runs all the way south to Afton and north for pressing. Back then, ironing was Jackson. In 1931, the Teton Laundry was to Yellowstone including Flagg Ranch, a big part of the work, especially bed begun by Al and Theresa Martin. They Togwotee Pass, Signal Mountain Lodge, linens. Cowboys would come in to get immigrated to America from Germany, and Hatchet Motel. During the busiest extra heavy starch, “five minute legs,” months they processed twenty tons on their jeans—to make the jeans look of laundry a day, and he employed clean longer, and they felt it even helped up to fifty people. As he could, John keep them in the saddle! There was a big added more automated equipment manhole cover in the center of the floor to the laundry. He purchased an with three valves, and in the early days, automatic folder that could process the laundry got water from Flat Creek, twenty-two sheets per minute. Cache Creek, and the Town of Jackson When I asked John if he had water system. This helped accommodate any funny stories to relate, he said the town’s waning water pressure, but you “my sense of humor was really thin had to screen out the elk turds according at times.” Waiting for machines to to one old-timer. cool off so he could work on them Mark appreciates the Jackson Hole Al and Theresa Martin at 3:00 a.m. didn’t exactly inspire community, and with good reason. When Courtesy of High County Linen Service humor! a fire destroyed the laundry in 1998, and Al worked on the construction of Loren “Tuffy” and Kathy the highway between Rock Springs and Powell were the next owners Jackson. As the story goes, Theresa was with partners Ray and doing laundry in her yard in Jackson Betty Chamberland who when a cowboy rode up and asked her if eventually bought out the he could pay her to do his laundry. So the Powells. The Chamberlands Martins saw a need and filled it. changed the name to High As early tourism increased, the Country Linen Service in Martins kept the dude ranches, motels, 1980 to promote a new and restaurants in clean, pressed linens. image. They also promoted The Martins maintained their successful Mark to manager. Thirty business one customer at a time, and years ago, on June 15, 1981, cared about people according to Mark Mark Barron purchased the Barron, current owner of High Country laundry with partner Buzz Linen Service. Hunt. Their partnership Basil Jacobson at the Teton Laundry 1958.1189.001 Jackson native Danny Jacobson says lasted nine years until Mark bought out many came forward to help him out and his father Basil worked at the laundry for Buzz in 1990. were very understanding of the situation. forty-two years. Basil was the Martins’ When Mark first began his career with Clay James, General Manager of Grand first full-time employee. His deliveries the laundry, the work was very manual Teton Lodge Company, allowed Mark to and pickups were made by horse use the laundry at Jackson Lake Lodge and buggy until trucks were the from 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. seven norm. Danny worked one year days a week that summer. It was a long during high school because he said thirteen months until the laundry could “so many girls worked there.” be rebuilt, and it opened new in October The Martins sold the business 1999. to John and Putzi Harrington in Today High Country Linen Service 1961 who owned it for eighteen keeps sixty-three full-time employees years. Mark Barron says most of busy. They have modern automated the owners raised their kids at the equipment and operate much more laundry, including Harringtons’ efficiently than in the early days. As part four girls and his own two children. of his commitment to energy efficiency, Up to three generations worked Mark believes owning the linens and there at one time including the providing them for their customers is Harris, Shinkle, and Ivie families. Teton Laundry, c. 1932. L to R: Alice Taylor, Mrs. Edgar much more energy efficient. They provide When Mark came to the valley in Carpenter, Basil Jacobson, Theresa Martin, Goldie Sperl clean entry mats, uniforms, and linens as 1958.0092.001 1975, his first job was working at well as commercial products with their the laundry mangling, or ironing, sheets and there wasn’t much automation. The own brand of tissues and hand towels en masse. One thing he loved about the old belly washer machines had a floor and Green cleaning products. Good luck job was the camaraderie amongst staff pedal drain and three big valves for to High Country Linen Service on their that still exists today. hot and cold water, and one for steam next eighty years of providing a valuable John Harrington remembers working injection. There was a 1939 steam boiler service keeping Jackson Hole clean! ISSN: 1544-3884 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE Page 7 - Summer 2011 The History of Conservation in Jackson Hole – Part I by Shannon Sullivan, Curator of Collections The sense of wonder felt about Jackson locals who believed that regional Indian one winter tuskers killed more elk and Hole has always been tinged with concern tribes, who had legal hunting rights, left them to rot than were killed in ten for its future. Struthers Burt wrote in were slaughtering the elk. Although it years of normal hunting.” Diary of a Dude Wrangler in 1924, “I am One of the most famous tusker events afraid for my own country unless some reads more like a spy novel than a story help is given it—some wise direction.” about poaching. According to a Jackson Those concerns have been echoed with Hole Guide article in 1953, no one knew growing vehemence in the decades since who the tuskers were or how they did all over the West—hunting regulations, their deeds. Enterprising game wardens grazing, water rights, etc. Unlike many eventually realized “that the hunters had other wild places though, Jackson Hole strapped housings made from boards, has had a charmed evolution from being with elkfeet underneath, to walk on” and coveted for its beauty to being protected only the regular marks from the boards because of its beauty. in the snow revealed this trick. The plot Circumstances and not entirely thickened further when locals threatened unselfish motives make up the story to form a lynch mob. The tuskers fled to of why 97% of Teton County is today Unidentified man harvesting ivories from an elk. California where they were arrested and protected public land. Settlement of the 1958.0174.001 “found to have elk teeth sewed in bags stemmed more from bigotry than any around through their clothes…hems of evidence against the Indians, it led to dresses and coats and corsets, etc…” a Supreme Court decision that assured Perhaps if tusking had financially states the right to regulate hunting and benefited more people in the valley, wildlife. This incident doesn’t paint a it would have flourished longer, but flattering picture of early settlers, but plentiful wildlife had become a matter protecting the elk would become the of livelihood for many. After bearing catalyst for the earliest conservation witness to the starvation of elk over many efforts over the coming decades. harsh winters, locals began to agitate By the early 1900s, poachers from for something to be done to protect the within the ranks of locals were harvesting herd. elk meat illegally and killing elk String of elk teeth 1958.2650.001 for their valuable teeth, known as ivories. At that time, thousands valley began in the 1880s, and by the of elk were starving to death with 1890s people were supporting themselves regularity and a disproportionate off the land by ranching and farming number of bull elk deaths attracted but also by guiding the earliest tourists, attention. The tuskers prized old often wealthy hunters from the East. bulls for their antique looking The first thoughts of conservation began ivories which fetched the highest during this period, although it wouldn’t dollar amount. With the county be recognized as such today. seat of Evanston 200 miles away, Because so many relied on the wildlife game law enforcement was scarce, for food and livelihood, settlers zealously frustrating officials and locals alike. Log Smoke house located on Glade Creek in northern fought to protect the animals. An armed In 1971 Elizabeth Wied Hayden Jackson Hole. Tuskers smoked elk meat and took it by confrontation in 1895 was precipitated by wrote, “It was estimated that in pack horse into Idaho for sale. 1958.2770.001

The Politics of Potlucks by Liz Jacobson

Potlucks have been a tradition of the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum for over forty years. These long-established social gatherings have been part of the community’s heritage for far longer, going back to early neighborly socials and ranch brandings. A newspaper article on the day of our last advertised potluck on April 15, 2010, gave us some wonderful publicity; however, we received a call from the county health department that a potluck open to the public would not be allowed. After we decided it would be best to cancel the event, the health department said we could go ahead with the potluck this time. We did not want to make ourselves vulnerable to liability so we cancelled the potluck anyway. The JHHSM has not had a potluck since. The Doc MacLeod Campfire Tales last July became a “bring your own picnic” event. The good news is that state legislators voted to pass the Wyoming Traditional Food Act in February to become effective July 1, 2011. This act makes it legal for citizens to serve family and nonpaying guests food prepared in a private home or place other than an establishment without a license. This includes weddings, funerals, potluck dinners, charitable dinners, and charitable cook-offs. While we appreciate the government’s concern for citizens’ health, the voice of sensibility prevailed! Members and friends of the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum can now look forward to more wonderful potlucks. Page 8 - Summer 2011 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE ISSN: 1544-3884

Update—The Coach: An Upcoming Events American Crossroads—a documentary film project of July September the JHHSM

Thursday, July 21 Saturday, September 10 “The Coach” film project is gaining Doc MacLeod Campfire Tales Old Bill’s Fun Run 2011 momentum, has made it past the halfway and Potluck, 6:30 pm Town Square, 10:00 am mark for funding, and will be shooting Jack Huyler’s Rocking H Ranch Come see our booth, run or this summer. They say good things come Stories and music. Bring your walk in the event, donate to the in “threes” and so they have. First, the favorite dish to share (potlucks are Jackson Hole Historical Society project was awarded the Lola Homsher now legal!) and table service. Lawn and Museum, and enjoy the food, Grant from the Wyoming State Historical chairs optional. Drinks provided. entertainment, and community Society; second, there was a well- spirit. Your support will be greatly attended and entertaining event at the Looking for storytellers to share appreciated! Teton County Library featuring stories skiing, hunting, conservation, or about “Sunday at the Coach”; third, hospital stories. Please contact our producer/ Karen Reinhart at 733-9605 x 103. director won the Wyoming August Short Film Contest. Sunday, August 21 We’ve also Slim Lawrence Barbecue, 4-7:30 pm had some great Hardeman Barns in Wilson. press coverage. Jen Tennican Catered barbecue dinner, program. Community is Reservations required by August 11. at the heart of the film’s story and we need your support. Please share your Thursday, September 15 stories, photos, and films of the Coach, Potluck & Program, 6:30 pm Please remember the Jackson Hole Wilson, and Jackson Hole—anything Louie and Paula Leisinger’s house. Historical Society and Museum when from the 1940s through the present! Bring a dish to share and table you make your donations through Contact Jen Tennican (jtennican@gmail. service. Program to be announced. Old Bill’s Fun Run 2011. Thank you! com) if you would like to contribute. We Appreciate Our Business Partners! Sustaining Partnerships $500 Boyer’s Indian Arts and Crafts Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Ward+Blake Architects CopyWorks Moose Head Ranch, Inc. The Wort Hotel Cowboy Village Resort Moulton Ranch Cabins Dembergh Construction Wyoming, Inc. Owens and Owens, PC Contributing Partnerships $250 Drive Signs Pamela Stockton Interiors Casper Antique and Collectors Club Elk Country Inn Signal Mountain Lodge Delcon, Inc. Forbes, Inc. Simpson Properties, Ltd. Gonnella and Majors, PC Grand Teton Lodge Company Teton Heritage Builders Lozier Corporation Gun Barrel Steakhouse Teton Motors RAM Construction Hawtin Jorgensen Architects, P.C. The Clear Creek Group Triangle X Ranch Hub BHJ Insurance The Liquor Store Friend Partnerships $100 Jackson Hole Art Auction The Teton Club 49’er Inn and Suites Jackson Hole Compunet The Virginian Lodge Antler Inn Jackson Printing Wells Fargo Bar J Chuckwagon JMC Professional Cleaning Service Western Center for the Conservation Barlow Family Limited Partnership Lawhorn Green CPA Group, Inc. of Fine Arts Beaver Creek Hat and Leather Lee’s Tees West Lives On Gallery

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